Manager Employee Relations - Leeds, UK

As a leading global contract research organization (CRO) with a passion for scientific rigor and decades of clinical development experience, Fortrea provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device customers a wide range of clinical development, patient access, and technology solutions across more than 20 therapeutic areas. Conducting operations in more than 90 countries, Fortrea is transforming drug and device development for partners and patients across the globe.

The Senior Manager of Employee Relations is responsible for leading the employee relations function within region. This role involves developing and implementing strategic employee relations initiatives, managing complex issues, and overseeing compliance with local employment laws and applicable changes. The Employee Relations Manager will partner with leaders to align strategies with organizational goals. This role will require working autonomously in a day-to-day advisory capacity while collaboratively supporting internal colleagues and clients, such as HR Business Partners, Business Leaders, and Internal Counsel, with comprehensive ability to consult with outside counsel in line with accepted practices.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Strategic Employee Relations Support

• Develop and implement comprehensive employee relations strategies to support organizational goals and objectives.
• Provide comprehensive professional advice to managers for employee relations queries, including absence management, disciplinary procedures, workplace resolution, process capability, grievance procedures, probationary procedures, flexible working assessments, dispute resolutions and settlements, and general employment law issues.
• Maintain case management records to ensure they are clear, concise and in line with applicable general data protection regulations.
• Engage and work collaboratively with HR Business Partners, Business Leaders, and Internal/External Counsel on employee relations matters.
• Provide guidance and support in Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) TUPE and associated redundancy procedures.

Policy Development and Compliance

• Monitor changes in local employment law and best practices, and update policies and practices accordingly.
• Conduct periodic reviews of general HR related policies and provide improvement recommendations.
• Provide keen oversight to practices and policies related to health and safety; disciplinary, dismissal, and grievance procedures.
• Manage implementation and compliance of internal practices related to collective relations and local trade unions.

Conflict Resolution

• Mediate and diffuse issues without the need for a more formal approach before they escalate.
• Oversee the resolution of high-risk employee relations issues including performance enhancement, disciplinary actions, and termination in compliance with local law.
• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture through proactive conflict resolution strategies.

Training and Development

• Lead People Manager Enablement by proposing and developing resources, tools, and training to empower managers to lead their teams.
• Design and deliver advanced training programs for managers and employees on employee relations, conflict resolution and effective communication.
• Liaise with diversity and inclusion leaders to develop and align internal training with regulatory requirements.

Data Analysis and Metrics

• Identify themes and trends via employee relations data and collaborate to identify solutions that strengthen the business and Fortrea’ s culture.
• Prepare executive summaries and presentations for senior leadership on employee relations metrics/trends and recommend solutions.
• Conduct periodic reviews of HR related policies and provide improvement recommendations.
• All other duties as needed or assigned.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic qualification. Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.

• Ability to manage highly confidential information with professionalism and discretion, including as applicable navigating in an artificial intelligence environment.
• Expert knowledge of employment laws and regulations
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing unions and other collective relations matters, probationary periods, redundancies, flexible working collaborations, and navigating employee leave of absence requests and implementation procedures.
• Effective communication, including strong writing skills and documentation abilities.
• Comfortable in a challenging environment with proven adaptability to changing business conditions and needs.
• Ability to multi-task, deal with ambiguity, and work collaboratively with internal and external clients.
• Strong, fluid, and persuasive technical writing skills.
• History of influencing and providing guidance to senior management around sophisticated organizational issues.
• Experience conducting and leading corporate investigations of sophisticated and confidential workplace complaints.
• Strong diplomacy and collaboration skills, enabling individual to establish influential partnerships collaborating with peers, senior leaders, and across organizational lines.
• Demonstrated success with proposing and driving process enhancements.
• A comprehensive understanding of HR practices and principles.
• Experience in training, coaching, and developing HR and business stakeholders on employee relations matters, while sharing your knowledge to increase their capabilities.

Experience (Minimum Required):  

• Extensive professional Human Resources experience; specific experience in Employee Relations.
• Former leadership experience req.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• CIPD Certification

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• This position is a remote position.
• Ability to establish private, dedicated home office for remote working.
• Occasional travel to site locations.
• Varied hours may be required.

Fortrea is actively seeking motivated problem-solvers and creative thinkers who share our passion for overcoming barriers in clinical trials. Our unwavering commitment is to revolutionize the development process, ensuring the swift delivery of life-changing ideas and therapies to patients in need. Join our exceptional team and embrace a collaborative workspace where personal growth is nurtured, enabling you to make a meaningful global impact. For more information about Fortrea, visit www.fortrea.com.

Fortrea is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:

As an EOE/AA employer, Fortrea strives for diversity and inclusion in the workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We make employment decisions based on the needs of our business and the qualifications of the individual and do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy or other medical conditions/needs), family or parental status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, personal appearance, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. We encourage all to apply.

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